European weekend breaks with Eurostar

From train seat to city streets in no time

Eurostar has a knack for making a European weekend feel delightfully straightforward. No airport queues, no decanting toiletries into tiny bottles, just step on, settle in and arrive right in the city centre relaxed. A very pleasing way to travel, especially for short breaks where time matters.

From culture-heavy capitals to creative port cities, these Eurostar destinations prove that a few days away can pack in plenty. We’ve rounded up where to stay in each city, from Belle Époque beauties to grand dames, with everything lined up for an easy hop from platform to check-in. Read on to find out more.

Brussels

Brussels is quietly enjoying a glow-up, swapping stiff stereotypes for contemporary art, design and a surprisingly playful mood. Wander around Place de la Bourse or plan your visit around Art Brussels for a proper dose of the international art world, then settle into the city’s serious food scene of chef-led counters and old-school cafés.

Members gravitate towards Corinthia Grand Hotel Astoria near the Grand-Place. This Belle Époque landmark by Henri van Dievoet offers polished rooms, serious dining and a Sisley Paris spa for post-gallery recovery, with evenings ending in the cocktail bar where the Mr Wilde soon becomes a familiar order.

Paris

A few days in Paris go a long way. Many of the big sights follow the curve of the Seine, making it easy to wander between museums, monuments and riverbanks at your own pace. Beyond that, neighbourhoods reward curiosity with galleries, bakeries and restaurants shaping the city’s current food conversation.

Bulgari Paris brings contemporary style to the Golden Triangle and a spa that proves particularly welcome after a day on foot, while at Shangri-La Paris a Little Emperors upgrade at the time of booking might just put the Eiffel Tower in view, with almost half the rooms facing the landmark.

Amsterdam

Amsterdam’s compact scale makes it easy to slip into its rhythm. Museums sit comfortably alongside neighbourhood cafés, bike paths and quiet streets lined with canals. Spend time in Jordaan for shopping and people-watching, stretch out in Vondelpark, then see the city from the water on a small open boat.

At Mandarin Oriental Conservatorium near Museumplein, a few laps in the pool come before dinner at Taiko, where the Asian-inspired cuisine makes a strong case for staying in. Rosewood Amsterdam sits along the Prinsengracht and hides a speakeasy-style distillery inside the bar producing its own house jenever, Provo, a guest favourite.

Antwerp

Arriving at Antwerpen Centraal sets the tone straight away, all vaulted ceilings and grand details before the city opens up around you. Fashion, art and design are never far away here, from independent boutiques to galleries and museum spaces. Climb to the MAS museum rooftop for views over the Scheldt, then walk towards the port to see the striking Port House by the water.

Botanic Sanctuary Antwerp is a firm favourite with our members and, with five restaurants holding three Michelin stars, it’s easy to see why. The two-Michelin-starred restaurant Hertog Jan, known for its stunning cuisine, beehives and herb garden, is usually where the evening ends up.

London

London rewards repeat visits like few other cities. Beyond the headline sights, its neighbourhoods are where things get interesting, each offering their own restaurants, markets and galleries. Follow the Thames for culture and architecture, then strike out somewhere new.

Brown’s Hotel delivers classic Mayfair comfort, with afternoon tea in the Drawing Room the standout ritual, famously taken here by Queen Victoria, right down to scones still made to a long-guarded recipe. The Connaught, meanwhile, draws people to a bar regularly ranked among the world’s best, largely thanks to its martini trolley.